Blog Category: Haiti

Commerce
Department Senior Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Wade traveled
to Haiti this week for the opening of the L’Ecole Nouvelle Royal
Caribbean School in Labadee, the first school to be built in Haiti
after the devastating January earthquake. American businesses, with the
help of the Commerce Department, spearheaded the effort to build the
school, which is a project between Royal Caribbean International and
InnoVida, a Miami-based producer of residential and commercial
buildings.

“The
Commerce Department has been actively involved in encouraging U.S.
businesses and the Haitian Diaspora to help in Haiti’s recovery, which
will create jobs in Haiti and support jobs in America,” Wade said.

Over
the past few months, Wade has been traveling across the United States
to help promote opportunities for U.S. businesses to get involved in
Haiti’s reconstruction. The U.S. private sector has an indispensable
role to play in spurring investment in Haiti and providing innovative
solutions to help Haiti grow and rebuild its communities.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke reaffirmed the support of the Obama administration and the Commerce Department for Haiti’s reconstruction efforts following January’s devastating earthquake at today’s Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue hosted at the Department. Locke was joined by senior government and private sector representatives to discuss how American companies can help aid Haiti’s reconstruction efforts. Haitian Minister of Tourism Patrick Delatour (shown with Locke), who is charged with leading Haiti’s reconstruction efforts, briefed businesses on the country’s pressing needs. (More) (Remarks)

A specially-equipped NOAA jet conducted aerial surveys of earthquake-stricken Haiti on Jan. 17 and 18 as part of the agency’s effort to help responders assess damage and plan recovery efforts. The aircraft is equipped with high-resolution digital cameras and other sensors that collect data vital to disaster response, scientific research and environmental resource management efforts. “NOAA maintains some of the nation’s premier emergency response services,” said Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “We are proud to be of service in offering experts and expertise to help the people of Haiti during this heartbreaking time.” (More) (Haiti Earthquake Relief Web site)

The U.S. Department of Commerce is mobilizing to assist in the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. “In response to President Obama’s pledge of support, the Department of Commerce has mobilized resources to assist the Haitian people,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Commerce’s NOAA is sending a multi-tiered disaster response team to conduct emergency surveys and damage assessment of key Haitian ports. BIS is expediting the licensing process to speed up the export of humanitarian items. For more information on the effort and what you can do to help, visit the White House’s site on earthquake relief. (More) (Haiti Earthquake Relief Web site)